Grass and mustard reign supreme

Chapter 68: Green Plum Wine
This was an unexpected encounter.

As soon as Kang Zhengyan and his men rushed out of the cave, an arrow was shot at them.

The son of a soldier from Feng'an Village was shot dead.

Now there's no need to reveal each other's secrets, let's just get right to it!
A flurry of swords flashed and spears clashed in front of the cave as the two sides engaged in a fierce battle.

During the melee, Kang Licheng was slashed in the arm with a knife, which frightened Kang Zhengyan so much that he immediately pulled him to his side.

This is his second brother's only son. If he dies, how can he face his second brother?

"Licheng, hurry back to the village and tell your uncle what happened here!"

Seeing that the two sides were evenly matched in number, but the other side's martial arts skills were clearly far superior to theirs, Kang Zhengyan knew that something was wrong.

"Uncle Three!"

"Go!"

Kang Zhengyan didn't bother to persuade him anymore and kicked his nephew in the groin, making Kang Licheng stagger.

"quick!"

Kang Licheng gritted his teeth and, taking advantage of the darkness, plunged into the woods.

Kang Zhengyan and the others had no idea where these tough outsiders came from.

However, many bandits in Longshang were not professionals in this line of work, but rather did it part-time.

When the other party is powerful, they are merchants.

If they find something they can eat, and it's in the middle of nowhere, they're bandits.

This situation was quite common in the ancient seas of Yang Can's world.

The reason is the same: in a deserted place, it's hard to get caught doing something illegal.

Kang Liyan and the others assumed that these bandits were just a group of merchants who had their eyes on their goods.

That arrow wasn't actually shot by those people transporting mountain goods.

Wan Tai was the one who shot the arrow. He knew he had succeeded as soon as he released the arrow.

By then, he had already made his escape.

Seeing those people rush out of the cave and attack without saying a word, the people transporting the mountain goods assumed that the other party was a thief who was both a merchant and a bandit and had his eyes on their goods.

These people don't look like bandits.

Professional bandits wouldn't target those transporting mountain goods.

Because they have a symbiotic relationship.

What else is there to say?

The only solution is to kill them to silence them!
The battle finally ended, and Kang Zhengyan and the others all fell into pools of blood.

The people transporting mountain goods found four cartloads of farm produce, which further convinced them that this was a group of merchants who had suddenly decided to commit evil.

Are there any survivors?

"That's all, they've all been knocked down!"

"Damn it, if word gets out about this business, the consequences will be unimaginable. Check again, and give everyone another stab!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, everyone immediately dispersed.

The corpses that were already lying in pools of blood each had been stabbed in the chest.

"We can't stay here any longer; we have to travel through the night and leave this place."

The leader gave the order, and the people dared not delay. They immediately took all the corpses of their own people and hurriedly prepared to leave.

The four truckloads of goods left behind by Kang Liyan and others were also taken over by them.

Although they're not very valuable, shipping them out together can still generate some income.

Anyway, the carriages and horses are readily available, so it won't slow down the journey much.

……

A light drizzle, the kind of rain that people love most.

The rain was light, but it lasted for half a day, which thoroughly moistened the soil and allowed the spring seedlings to grow stronger.

A rattan chair was placed in the pavilion, and Yang Can sat on it, watching the spring rain fall like smoke.

The Persian cat Medusa was squatting to one side, adding charcoal to the clay stove.

A pot of yellow wine was being roasted on a small red clay stove.

Several side dishes were laid out on the table to accompany the drinks.

Qingmei strained the ginger from the cooked rice wine and poured it into Yang Can's wine cup.

Late spring, early summer, a light rain. A small pavilion, a red stove, and a beautiful woman adding yellow wine. It's indescribably pleasant.

Standing opposite Yang Can was Abbess Jingyao.

The sky was somewhat gloomy on this drizzly day, but as she stood in the pavilion, the pavilion seemed to brighten up.

Her skin had a translucent quality.

It was as if a piece of fine white jade had been illuminated from within by a soft light.

“Master Jingyao, I have found a Manshu Nunnery at the foot of Maiji Mountain. I will send you there to cultivate on a chosen day. What do you think?”

Yang Can picked up the warm rice wine, took a small sip, and spoke.

He had been secretly observing for several days, but had not discovered that this nun was causing trouble in his estate.

But Yang Can didn't need to keep her around and be wary of her; it was better to send her away.

Qingmei was very pleased to hear this.

This young nun's demeanor was too noble, like a pure white cloud in the sky, making one feel ashamed in her presence. She was truly worried that Yang Can would be lustful and defile this bodhisattva-like young nun.

Fortunately, Deacon Yang still has a moral compass.

Satisfied, Qingmei picked up a piece of pig's ear mixed with sand onion and fed it to Yang Can.

She didn't notice that from the day she washed Yang Can's feet, she began to serve Yang Can in a way that was more and more natural and habitual, just like when she served Suo Chanzhi.

Are you sending me to a nunnery?

Wouldn't I have to eat vegetarian food every day?
Moreover, there must be few people around the nunnery, so it wouldn't be easy for me to leave, would it?
Dugu Jingyao didn't want to leave.

Since she discovered that her identity as a nun provided protection, the young manor lord had no designs on her, so she no longer cared about hiding there.

Here, she could occasionally sneak into the kitchen to steal some meat to eat. But what could she eat at Manshu Temple? Mice?
"The owner of the village..."

Dugu Jingyao's gentle gaze fell on the roses outside the pavilion, swaying incessantly in the rain, yet their stems remained unbroken.

She clasped her hands together and sighed softly, "I am deeply grateful to the Master. But..."

She changed the subject abruptly, speaking with compassion: "Does the Master believe that the path of cultivation lies in the mountains and forests, or in the human heart?"

Yang Can blinked. He hated monks who used cryptic language and wasted their breath by beating around the bush.

Seeing that Yang Can did not answer, Dugu Jingyao sighed again, her eyes filled with a clear and gentle light.

“The Buddha attained enlightenment not in a famous mountain or ancient temple, but under an ordinary Bodhi tree.”

It is evident that the Buddha resides within the heart, not in external circumstances. If the mind is not at peace, even a secluded monastery will feel like a bustling marketplace.

If the heart is at peace, even in the mundane world, it is like a pure land.

Sure enough, she started using veiled language. Does this mean she... doesn't want to leave?
Alarm bells rang in Yang Can's mind. If this fake nun didn't want to leave, then there was definitely something wrong with her.

Dugu Jingyao's household has "household monks," and she supports more than one.

Her appearance and temperament were naturally pure and holy, and she had been familiar with the mannerisms of those domesticated monks since childhood. When she pretended to be a strict and disciplined nun, she was even more convincing than the real thing.

She pointed to the roses outside the pavilion and said casually, "Please look, Master. These roses in the garden have suffered from wind and rain, which is a hardship for them."

However, with rain nourishing its roots and wind tempering its stems, isn't this swaying a form of spiritual practice?

Where is there no dust that does not settle? Where is there no place where one cannot find clarity of mind?
Here at the manor, rain patters on banana leaves, wine is brewed, and Zen is listened to. Having spent several days here, this humble nun finds it easier to glimpse her pure, original mind than in those desolate mountains and wilderness.

Upon hearing this, Qingmei admired him even more.

No wonder this young nun has such a noble demeanor; it turns out she pays attention to cultivating her mind at all times.

When she discovered that after going through a lot of hardships, it was easier to strengthen her Zen mind in this mundane world, she actually chose to enter the world.

It seems inappropriate to send away such a virtuous and accomplished person who aspires to cultivate himself in the mortal world.

Qingmei couldn't help but tug at Yang Can's sleeve: "Master, there are still quite a few vacant places in the fort. Why don't we choose one to build a nunnery and invite Little Master Jingyao to practice here?"

To persuade Yang Can, Qingmei added, "There are many believers in the village. A nunnery has been built there, so they will have a place to worship Buddha."

Dugu Jingyao panicked upon hearing this. If that's the case, then I might as well go to Manshu Nunnery.

Should we leave the Yang residence and build a separate nunnery?

Forget about eating meat, wouldn't I have to cook my own meals?
I don't know how to cook!

It's no wonder she loves meat; wealthy families in Longshang mainly eat meat, and she's at an age where she's still developing.

She was used to the food, her body needed it, and this girl was a "foodie" to begin with.

She was a little gourmet in her family; how could she stand eating plain soup and water all day long?

Dugu Jingyao immediately said, "Thank you, benefactor Qingmei. But, what is the difference between building your own nunnery and practicing in the Manshu Nunnery?"

If the lord of the manor does not find it troublesome, this humble nun may continue her practice at your esteemed residence. A bowl of tea and a meal, a place to sleep—that is sufficient.

Yang Can's lips twitched a few times as he recalled the scene of her munching on a pork hock like a little hamster.

Dugu Jingyao added, "This humble nun is skilled in incense making and also has some knowledge of medicine. I will not accept the manor lord's support for nothing."

Upon hearing this, Qingmei's eyes lit up, and she quickly tugged at Yang Can's sleeve.

Seeing that the fake nun was reluctant to leave, Yang Can immediately became alert: "This woman is indeed a spy; she came specifically for me!"

Now that it was confirmed that the fake nun was a spy, Yang Can wasn't in a hurry to let her go.

Otherwise, if he gets rid of this one who has already been exposed, and then sends another enemy whose identity is unknown, he won't even know who that person is, so how can he guard against them?

Yang Can's eyes flickered, and he nodded with a smile: "It was I who was being persistent. Since the nun thinks this place is beneficial for your cultivation, please stay here with peace of mind. If you need anything, just ask Qingmei."

Dugu Jingyao clasped her hands together again and said calmly, "Amitabha, where the heart finds peace, the body finds peace. Thank you, Master and Miss Qingmei, for your kindness."

As she spoke, her gaze quickly swept over a plate of "braised eel" on the table, and she secretly swallowed.

Why would you eat pig's ears? You really don't know how to eat.

Plump conger eels are caught in the East China Sea, cut open from the back, and then carefully rubbed with sea salt.

Hang it under the eaves of a house facing the sea, letting the sea breeze carry away the moisture and infuse it with the breath of the ocean.

Once the eel meat is air-dried and firm, with a honey-colored sheen, it is then soaked in aged wine lees.

The savory and salty taste, paired with warm Shaoxing wine...

Gudong!

Dugu Jingyao turned around and walked into the drizzle without caring.

Yang Can watched her back and thought, "Hmm... this fake nun's hair seems to have grown a bit longer."

When her hair reached her waist...

No, she'll shave her head to continue pretending to be a nun, right?

But who exactly sent this fake nun to infiltrate my inner circle?
Is it the patriarch? Or Second Master Yu?
It seems like there's no one else besides those two brothers.

At this moment, Kang Licheng staggered into Feng'anzhuang and collapsed at the deserted street corner in the rain.

(End of this chapter)